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By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

April 16, 2015-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), the oldest youth soccer league in the United States and a founding member of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), is proud to announce a collaboration with New York City FC (NYCFC), now playing its first season in Major League Soccer (MLS) with its home games at historic Yankee Stadium.

NYCFC will work with CJSL coaches, providing specific coaching education workshops in line with the club’s philosophy and curriculum. NYCFC and the CJSL coaches will also partner in identifying player talent, appropriate to the age group concerned.

From Under-9 to Under-11, CJSL players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills at NYCFC-run soccer festivals. Selected teams from the CJSL will also be invited to participate in a NYCFC Youth Development League events against NYCFC’s youth affiliate teams.

From Under-12 to Under-17, NYCFC and CJSL coaches will together identify players who would be invited to join NYCFC future talent centers.

“This collaboration between New York City’s first and oldest youth league, the CJSL, and the first MLS club in the five boroughs is the start of a new phase in the CJSL’s history that dates back 80 years,” commented CJSL President Dimitrie Draguca. “It only makes sense for our two great organizations to develop a relationship that will provide our city’s children with the opportunity they need to develop the skills to take them to the next level.”

NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said, “I am delighted that we are going to be working with the CJSL to help develop the league, which will benefit all its teams, and to provide technical support for its most talented young players. The CJSL is very special to me, as one of the leagues I grew up playing in, so I know how important it is to the fabric of soccer in New York and we are extremely happy to support it.”

Additionally, NYCFC will have a presence at CJSL events and advise the league how best to structure its competition in line with NYCFC’s research and knowledge on youth development. To align itself with NYCFC’s philosophy, no standings will be kept in the Under-8 to Under-11 age groups.

With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

I have tweeted, e-mailed and written numerous articles recently on player development and the curse of the win at all costs mentality.  It is slightly scary that when I talk with the other technical directors around the country, these are the very same topics that they also write most about. The very same message of player development , possession soccer and teaching players the skills of the game before stressing about the win-loss record is echoed by US Soccer, the United States Youth Soccer Association, the NSCAA and all other youth soccer organizations across the country.

With the message being repeated so frequently by so many experts in the game, it is very sad that so few are doing the right thing. There are many who pretend to, who play a few passes in the attacking third and hide behind the win-loss records. These coaches, along with parents who pressure them to play this way, are developmental impostors. They are the cowboys who hurt the game. They play a style of direct soccer that is based around having a few athletes with pace and strength. They go quickly form back to front and are not really interested in player development at all.

As a coach who still works with teams on a regular basis to go a whole season with a team playing more than 20 games and to play only one team who was really attempting to develop players is really disappointing. To be told by so many so-called professional trainers, "Tim, we get it but if we play the right way, the parents will demand a new coach as we may lose."

This is truly an indictment on the parent groups within each team that pressure the kids and the coaches to play in a manner that means only a few develop and the vast majority are destined to stop playing by high school. There is no gray here–you are either part of the solution or part of the problem.

For those confused and even more to expose those who look to confuse others by stressing the wins as an indicator of player development, I suggest ALL use these three areas of development and the criteria below as a means to truly get a picture of the type of team your son or daughter is playing on.

Every time your team plays a competitive game, record the categories below

1. Number of quality first touches that allow player to keep the ball.
2. Number of passes completed.
3. Number of passes in a string (average and maximum)
4. Number of times GK attempted to play out of back and build through possession
5. Number of times players attempted to take players on 1v1
6. Number of times team attempted to switch point of attack

In addition to the game indicators listed above you can also consider the best practice criteria listed below.

• Sessions completely absent of LAPS, LINES AND LECTURES
• Sessions full of ball related activities.
• Sessions where players are at the center of the action – they get to think, solve problems, experiment try and fail.
• Sessions that are economical – wherein the activities used have a technical, tactical, physical and psycho-social piece embroidered into their foundation.
• Sessions where a possession based approach to attacking with all players encouraged to master the fundamental skills of passing and receiving is at the core of all ball work.
• Sessions full of well-designed questions used to elicit high level thinking from the players
• Sessions with lots of activity and brief breaks where they play more than they stand around

To seal the deal and to ascertain without a shadow of doubt that your child is truly in the care of a coach who is deeply concerned about player development, the following coaching habits should be frequently displayed

• A coach who asks questions and guides players to think for themselves.
• A coach who stresses that effort is applauded ABOVE ALL
• A coach who encourages players to compete honestly and fairly at all times.
• A coach who treats players with respect at all times and demands that his players treat all in the same manner.
• A coach who firmly and unwaveringly puts player development before winning.
• A coach who believes that his/her primary aim is to produce a lifelong love for the game and sport (the by-product is soccer excellence)
• A coach who inspires his players to always give their very best effort and to also enjoy the process.

By 12 years of age, a truly developmental team will be scoring well in all categories above. If this is the case, your child is in good hands and you have managed to find one of the rare coaches who truly can develop your child. Hang on to these environments because in all honesty they are a rare find.

Photo of the Elite Referees standing and the leadership of Eastern New York's Referee Program kneeling.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 24, 2014-If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere and the Elite Referees in Eastern New York hope that the expertise and experience they are receiving from New York soccer will help them to successfully officiate top assignments throughout the nation.

Under the direction of State Referee Administrator (SRA) Enrico Romano and State Youth Referee Administrator (SYRA) Ray Wolfe, 50 Elite Referees, both men and women from all eight referee districts in Eastern New York, are officiating the most challenging games every weekend in the Eastern New York State Adult Soccer Association and Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), including the recently-completed finals in the State Open Cup, Arch Capital Group Cup, Eastern New York Premier League and the Eastern New York Champions Cup. Some are officiating professional games now while others are being groomed to officiate these games in the future.

These Elite Referees travel from all over the Empire State to attend clinics that the program hosts in the New York City metropolitan area on the first Tuesday of every month. Recent clinicians include Herb Silva, Director of Professional Referees for US Soccer, and Major League Soccer referee Jose Carlos Rivera, a product of Eastern New York. 2002 World Cup referee Brian Hall has already given two clinics, the last one on the Referee’s Positioning and Movement at Fordham University on June 3. Brian challenged the referees with this information:

• What referees learned in certification class, to run in a diagonal and always keep the ball between the ref and AR, sometimes does not work for the demands of the professional game. Referees instead need to be flexible in running to the best position and go where the game needs them to be.

• Referees need to show urgency of movement and be close to the play so that the players more readily accept their decisions.

• It’s important that the referee establish a presence by being close to the play. But what’s even more important than being close to the ball is creating an angle of vision to see the challenges between attackers and defenders.

“The information that our referees are receiving from clinicians like Brian Hall and the challenging games they are officiating every week will make them the best officials they could possibly become,” commented SRA Romano.

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 13, 2017-Massapequa Fury 03 of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) took the Girls-Under-14 State Open Cup by shutting out another LIJSL side, the Smithtown Cobras, 3-0. This championship game was played on Saturday, June 3 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

Paris Burke scored two goals, Brooke Davi added one while Caroline Brucatto had the shutout in goal.

“Tactically, we stuck to our game plan to spread them out and possess the ball,” said Massapequa coach Paul Yarde.

Massapequa will represent the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) at the Regionals from June 30 to July 4 in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Smithtown received the Rocco Amoroso Sportsmanship Award as determined by the game officials. Amoroso, a US Soccer Life Member who died last year, started the LIJSL Sportsmanship Program in 1980 and it spread to Eastern New York, nationally and then to China and Ireland, and in the process, made soccer games kinder and gentler.

With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log onto http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.

By Tim Bradbury, Director of Coaching Instruction, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

Perhaps it is because I played the game as a youth player and hated drills because they bored me. Perhaps it is because I clearly remember the boredom I felt as the latest drill I was exposed to as a player sucked all fun out of the game as quickly as I could finish a cold glass of water on a hot day. Perhaps it was because I was a creative kid who liked to think and come up with my own way of solving problems, that I hated rote learning and being told what to do and when to do it. Whatever the reason, the deep-rooted hatred I have of drills is really very strong.

Perhaps it was a good thing that in attending University in England and specializing in Physical Education and teaching that all the information, teaching methods, learning seminars all reinforced the reasons I had learned to hate drills from an early age. It was great that all the educational research and learning theory reinforced the reasons why I could find no fun in any drill. I felt vindicated and inspired to start creating exercises and activities that could replace drills and allow my players to think and have fun.

Every time I attend an instructional training session or read another article on learning styles, environments that create great players, the evidence to support the "No Drills Ever" mantra is simply stronger and clearer.

Imagine my despair then when I see youth coach after youth coach expose another batch of young players to the next great drill they have created. Each and every time I observe this teaching environment, the body language of the players is the same––disengaged, bored and often finding ways to create their own fun. It is a sad truth that it is often the coaches who most use drills who are the ones who most seek advice on how to discipline unruly players and how to get their players to be more attentive.

While I am on a rant, how on earth are a series of drills which translate to boredom and lack of creative thought ever be considered to be a good pre-game warm up? How are youth players being suitably prepared for a game by participating in a series of drills more likely to put them in a coma than they are to inspire highly creative competitive thought?

So in an attempt to convince all those that still turn to drills as a way to teach the beautiful game, I offer the top 10 reasons to never use a drill presented below:

1. Drills are zero fun.

2. The game is all about making decisions. Drills prevent players thinking.

3. Drills are boring.

4. The process of myelination –key in players learning techniques is rooted in their ability to think.

5. Drills create robots unable to create their own solutions when posed with a problem in a game.

6. Good training activities look like a slice of the game. Drills never do.

7. Drills drive players away from the game.

8. The game is charged with adrenalin and nervous energy––making decisions under pressure no drill ever does this.

9. Drills involve standing around waiting for a turn. This is no fun at all.

10. There are simply better more engaging and fun ways to teach the game.

So instead of drills, design activities, exercises and games that:

• Look like a little slice of the game.
• Allow players to think, make mistakes and solve problems.
• Are highly competitive, challenging and fun.
• You can structure in a way that allows certain skills to be performed frequently under graduated pressure.
• Allow all players to be engaged at all times.
• Involve multitasking, thinking about and solving numerous problems at the same time.

I promise that if you move away from drills and into activities and exercises in the way prescribed above, your players will develop new energy and passion at your practices.

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

August 5, 2015-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) has a great partnership with SCORE Sports® and this relationship has lasted for more than a decade.

SCORE outfits Eastern New York’s Olympic Development Program (ODP), including all players and coaches, as well as Eastern New York volunteers organizing championship events such as the State Open Cup and Arch Capital Group Cup finals, the Eastern New York Premier League finals and the ENY Champions Cup, which are played all over the Empire State. Additionally, SCORE offers inexpensive uniforms to Eastern New York’s intramural players as well as referees.

“Eastern New York is very grateful for the consistent and enthusiastic support we have received from all our friends at SCORE Sports over the years,” commented Eastern New York President Richard Christiano.

“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Eastern New York. It’s been wonderful working with the association for over 10 years and having them be a part of the SCORE Family. We look forward to working hand-in-hand to support and continue growing our partnership. We are committed to providing great service, support and offer a positive experience to everyone,” said SCORE President Rosa Cursage.

About SCORE
SCORE, American Soccer Co., Inc., established in 1975 is a leading manufacturer of sports apparel and a loyal partner in the sports industry for 40 years.  Our experienced team works year around on product research & development and fabric innovation.  SCORE is committed to the growth of youth sports and healthy living.  At SCORE our values include commitment, integrity and serving our customers by providing exceptional customer service and the ultimate SCORE experience.  To learn more about SCORE visit us at www.scoresports.com and follow SCORE Sports on social media.   

About the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.
 

Wantagh/Seaford Dynamo in blue and some of the Syosset Avengers in red after the game

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

April 30, 2014-The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) prides itself on the sportsmanship of our teams, players and coaches. It’s a legacy passed down by US Soccer Life Member Rocco Amoroso. Concerned by a lack of civility on soccer fields, Rocco started the Sportsmanship Program of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) in 1980 and his program is used throughout Eastern New York and has since been copied around the world.

A shining example of this sportsmanship occurred in the LIJSL’s Girls-Under-11, Division N6 game on Saturday, April 26 between the Syosset Avengers and Wantagh/Seaford Dynamo at a soggy Stillwell Fields in Woodbury. Games in that age group play 9 vs. 9 but Syosset only had seven players show up that day due to other commitments and Wantagh/Seaford had 11 so the game looked to be a mismatch. Until Wantagh/Seaford coach Brian Crowley fielded seven players at kick-off and kept seven on the field the entire game.

“I work hard at coaching two teams and it’s very disheartening when you expect families to show up at games and they do not, causing your team to not have enough players,” Coach Crowley explained. “I’ve been there before when we were short players once and did not want the other team to feel awful that we were so much better than them playing 9 vs. 7. So playing 7 vs. 7 was the right thing to do.”

Wantagh/Seaford wound up winning, 3-1, in a competitive game in which Coach Crowley gave everyone a valuable lesson in sportsmanship. Nicole Maggio, Lara Palazzolo and Amanda Williams scored for Wantagh/Seaford while Sierra Rosado scored Syosset’s goal.

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.